"Yes; I fell asleep, and in that sleep I saw your face." "Were you frightened, Arthur?" "It was only a dream. But I was frightened when I saw you afterwards." "What a quantity of books you have!" she exclaimed, standing on tiptoe to read the backs of the volumes on the upper shelves. "Have you read them all?" "I wish I had. I should be a wiser man." "Too wise to marry me, perhaps?" "The wisdom that would prohibit that would be very closely allied to insanity. I have had little reason during my life to flatter myself on my judgment; but I think I may boast of my wisdom now." "This room is very pretty, and those grounds look lovely from the window; yet you must have felt dull here." "I confess I did--in spite of the entertainment provided for me by a sharp sinister little foreigner named Martelli, whom I hired to keep me company--a little man--humorous, passionate, and I daresay vengeful." "I dislike foreigners," she said, with a shudder. "Why did you not employ an Englishman?" "The fact was, I wished to learn Italian." "Was he an Italian?" she asked quickly. "Yes. Don't you like Italians?" "I hate them!" she exclaimed, her face flushing with sudden passion while her eyes flashed irefully. "Then it was fortunate he resolved to leave me. You and he would hardly have got on. Perhaps," I said, laughing, "his subtle sagacity pierced the marble of your face when he saw you, and discerned your aversion to his compatriots." "I thought you were alone?" "On the first night I was. On the second night I hadn't positively spirit enough to risk a second encounter. But, dearest, I have come to show you over the house." "I am ready," she exclaimed, her face and manner changing in one of those abrupt alternations that made so curious a feature of her character. "But first," said I, touching the bell, "there is an imposing ceremony to be gone through. I must introduce you to Mrs. Williams, my housekeeper; a very worthy woman, whom you will find a most useful minister to help you in the government of this little kingdom." When Mrs. Williams entered I said, "This is my housekeeper, Geraldine;" and then to the other, "Mrs. Williams, this lady, I hope, will shortly come here to take possession of Elmore Court as its mistress. I wished her to become acquainted with you." She curtseyed without any expression of surprise. Geraldine took her hand. "I am sure I shall like you, Mrs. Williams. The appearance of this house, so far as I have seen, tells me how valuable you will be to me." "I am grateful for your kind opinion, ma'am," said Mrs. Williams. "Are you not surprised to hear of Mr. Thornburn's resolution to marry me?" asked Geraldine, in her pretty downright way. Mrs. Williams smiled quietly. "I didn't think it would happen so soon," she replied; "but I guessed it would end in his marrying you, ma'am." "There, Geraldine," I said, "you see Mrs. Williams knows how I have thought of you." "Did I want Mrs. Williams to tell me?"